Stem cell transplant for lymphoma

When a stem cell transplant is used

If lymphoma returns (relapses) or does not respond to initial treatment (refractory disease), you may have a stem cell transplant. This is when diseased blood cells are destroyed by high-dose chemotherapy and replaced with blood stem cells.

Stem cells are an unspecialised early form of blood cells. They are usually collected from the blood (peripheral blood stem cell transplant). Rarely, stem cells are collected from the bone marrow through a bone marrow transplant.

Stem cell transplants are used less often now than in the past. It is a demanding treatment and is not suitable for everyone, especially people with other health problems. The entire procedure, including recovery, can take months.

Types of stem cell transplants

There are 2 main types of stem cell transplants.

Autologous transplant

This is when your stem cells are removed from your blood, processed and later put back (reinfused) into your body. This is the most common type of transplant used to treat lymphoma. An autologous transplant is done in several steps over several months.

Allogeneic transplant

This is when the stem cells are collected from another person (a donor). This type of transplant is less commonly used to treat lymphoma.

To work out whether a stem cell transplant is suitable for you, your haematologist will consider your general health, age, the type of lymphoma, how fast it’s growing and how it responds to treatment.